by Merry Farmer
“I don’t know,” Adrian answered honestly. “But something tells me we should leave it up to your cousin and trust him when he says not to get involved.”
Chapter 8
Two days passed, but Hattie’s frustration didn’t subside at all.
“I just don’t understand what has Asher in such a tizzy,” she huffed to Roselyn and Evangeline as the three of them strolled across the countryside near Villa Angelina.
It was a simply beautiful day. The sun was shining down on fields of green and gold, the sky was as cerulean blue as a poem, and the entire clan had decided to venture out beyond the boundaries of the villa. Adrian was with them as well. He had returned to the villa every day since the naughty afternoon the two of them had spent together, finding a way to repeat their amorous escapades. He walked ahead of Hattie, Roselyn, and Evangeline now, chatting away with Trent and Asher’s brother, her cousin Thomas. Although it warmed her heart to see Adrian and Trent getting along so well—Trent could use a few more friends and someone who would bring him out of his stoic shell—she knew the two were discussing marriage. And that was a topic she would rather have ignored as long as possible.
“Apparently, that antique spyglass is precious to him,” Roselyn said, her brow knit in as much puzzlement as Hattie felt.
“Where do you suppose he obtained that spyglass?” Evangeline asked. “I don’t think it’s a family heirloom.”
“Are there McGovern family heirlooms?” Hattie asked, perking up slightly.
“Oh, I’m sure there are.” Roselyn relaxed a bit as well. “I could swear I’ve seen cases of ancient jewels that belonged to the original Duke of Addlebury, priceless artwork, artifacts from the orient.”
“Artifacts from the orient?” Hattie brightened even more. “Our family has such things?”
“Oh! We do!” Evangeline burst into a sudden smile. “Don’t you remember Grandpapa’s Egyptian room?”
Roselyn and Hattie both gasped and exclaimed as they remembered.
“How could I forget?” Hattie laughed. “I loved Grandpapa’s Egyptian room.”
“He always claimed to have obtained all of those figures and scarabs and papyrus scrolls himself,” Roselyn said.
“Yes, I remember now.” Evangeline beamed at the memories they all shared. “He claimed to have raided tombs and bargained in dark, exotic markets for those things himself.”
“I wonder what happened to all of those things?” Hattie asked. A different memory tickled her brain. “Grandpapa’s Egyptian room is just another parlor now.”
“Asher must know what happened to everything,” Roselyn said with a shrug.
“Do you suppose the spyglass has anything to do with that?” Hattie asked, but another question poked at the back of her mind. The dark lady might or might not have taken the spyglass, but she had most certainly been looking for a codex. Hattie had only a vague idea of what a codex was—the term was simply used to describe the way a book or manuscript was bound, as far as she knew—but talking about her Grandpapa’s treasures resurrected another memory. One of her favorite, mysterious objects from her grandfather’s collection was a funny little manuscript that folded out like an accordion. The last time she’d seen it, she hadn’t yet learned to read, so she had no memory of what was written on it, but she remembered hieroglyphs and paintings of strange, Egyptian gods and goddesses.
“The only way to know for certain would be to ask Asher,” Roselyn said, frowning once more. “And I don’t think he’s going to be in any sort of mood to answer our inquiries.”
“So what do we do, then?” Hattie asked.
Roselyn shrugged and sighed. “We forget about it, I suppose. It’s terrible that Asher has been robbed, but what does that have to do with us?”
“I suppose you’re right,” Hattie said, not entirely satisfied with the answer.
“Besides,” Evangeline said, looping her arm through Hattie’s, her smile growing. “We have far more interesting things to discuss besides antiques.”
Roselyn hummed in agreement, taking Hattie’s other arm. “Like that delicious feast of a man who has been sniffing around you for the last week.”
Heat flooded Hattie’s face as a tumult of emotion filled her heart. “Lord Whitemarsh is a delight,” she said, grinning like a cat with cream.
“I’ll say he is,” Evangeline laughed. “I find it suspicious that every time he has visited the villa for the past few days, the two of you have disappeared for the better part of the afternoons.”
“Why, Evangeline,” Hattie said with a coy smile. “Whatever can you be suggesting?”
“I’m not suggesting anything.” Evangeline could barely contain her giggles. “I’m stating straight out that we will likely have a McGovern wedding soon.” She nodded ahead to where Adrian, Trent, and Thomas were laughing over something.
Hattie wanted to laugh along with them and to smile with her cousins, but her smile faltered. “I’m not so sure,” she said.
Roselyn’s brow shot up. “Not sure?” Her expression turned sly. “That’s not what I understood from the sighs I heard coming from your room yesterday afternoon.”
Hattie’s face heated at the thought that Roselyn had overheard her and Adrian enjoying themselves. Indeed, Adrian had been particularly creative in the way they’d made love. She hadn’t realized she could be folded into such an interesting position and still experience pleasure that made the corners of her vision go black as he thrust into her. The whole experience had left her ravenous for more…and deeply conflicted about the issue of marriage.
“I don’t want to make the same mistakes my mother made,” Hattie confessed in a rush. Truth be told, she needed the counsel of her cousins, and if she didn’t force herself to bring the issue to the front, she was likely to keep her conflicted emotions locked tightly inside. That wouldn’t do her or Adrian any good.
“I don’t remember much about your mother,” Evangeline said with a sympathetic look. “She passed on when I was just a girl.”
“I was just a girl too,” Hattie said with a sigh. “But I was old enough to understand that she regretted her decision to marry Father.”
“Did she?” Roselyn asked with kindness in her eyes, encouraging Hattie to go on.
“Mama was carefree and adventurous when she was young, or so she always used to tell me,” Hattie said. “She loved the theater and balls. She told me endless stories about house parties in the country. Stories that, as I grew older, I understood far better than I had at the time. Mama had lovers and lived life to the fullest. She thought she was in love with Father and rushed to marry him. But almost from the start, Father squashed everything fun and wild within her.”
Hattie paused as they turned onto a path that ran beside a small stream. A group of children were playing with hoops and sticks farther along the path. Adrian, Trent, and Thomas had paused as their conversation grew lively, so Hattie stopped as well, not wanting to get too close to them.
“I don’t want to make a rash decision only to end up shoved into a respectable box and forced to be someone I’m not,” she said, biting her lip as she finished and studying Adrian. Her rebellious heart urged her to take a chance. The part of her that was still sore from the size and vigor of his cock was all for the union as well. But her head warned her to be cautious.
“Marriage isn’t always like that,” Roselyn said softly, resting a hand on Hattie’s arm. When Hattie glanced to her, Roselyn’s sympathetic smile widened. “I was extraordinarily happy with Nathan.” The sadness of a widow who had been in love descended over Roselyn’s face.
“I’m so sorry, Roselyn. I forget that you were married sometimes,” Hattie apologized, giving her cousin a quick hug.
“We were happy.” Roselyn sucked in a breath, as though she were trying to stop herself from crying. “Not a day goes by when I don’t think of Nathan. A year is not long enough to be married to a man you love.”
“No, it’s not,” Hattie agreed.
�
�Which is why I would think long and hard about Lord Whitemarsh, if I were you,” Roselyn continued. “You may balk at the idea of giving up your freedom, but would you feel the same if you knew you would only have so much time with him? Or would you rush into his arms so that you might enjoy every moment you are given?”
“Well said.” Evangeline stepped forward to hug Roselyn as well.
Hattie’s throat squeezed with sudden emotion at her cousin’s grief. Lord Nathan Briarwood had been several years older than Roselyn, and as far as Hattie knew, they had been married out of convenience. But Roselyn had clearly loved the man. That didn’t mean marriage was the right answer for her and Adrian, though.
She glanced ahead at Adrian once more. He must have felt her watching him. He turned, met her eyes, and smiled. The simple gesture sent a flood of butterflies through Hattie’s stomach, both happy and anxious. She smiled back at him, but beyond that, she didn’t know what to do.
Whether it was good luck or bad luck, she didn’t have to decide in that moment. Her attention was pulled away from Adrian as Asher marched up the path behind them. His brow was knit in a deep frown, and he gave off an air of agitation.
“Roselyn, there you are,” he said to his sister, marching up to their group. Even when he stopped to address them, he didn’t stay still. Anyone with eyes could have seen how upset he was. “I need you all to return to the villa at once and pack your things.”
“Pack our things?” Roselyn blinked at him. “Whatever for?”
“We’re moving on to Venice,” Asher announced.
“Venice? Already?” Hattie clapped a hand to her chest, then glanced on to Adrian.
“But we aren’t due to continue on to Venice for another fortnight,” Evangeline spoke the thought that Hattie suddenly felt in the depths of her stomach.
Hattie had been certain she would have at least a fortnight to frolic with Adrian and to make up her mind. If Asher had his way, she had no time at all.
“Certain things have arisen that make it absolutely necessary for us to relocate to Venice at once,” Asher went on, his expression darkening.
“Does this have anything to do with your missing spyglass?” Roselyn asked, shifting her weight to one hip and crossing her arms. If anyone could challenge Asher and get him to admit the truth of things, it was her.
Asher responded with a sharp look that told his sister to hush. “I need you to obey me on this account, Roz,” he said.
“Ash, you know full well that I only obey when I understand why I must,” Roselyn replied.
Asher’s scowl melted to a look of appeal. “Please, Roz. There are things afoot that I cannot go into.”
“Because they are too important to explain to a woman?” Roselyn challenged him.
“No,” Asher answered immediately. “Because they are too dangerous for anyone I love to become embroiled in.”
Hattie’s heart caught in her throat, and over something besides Adrian for a change. Evangeline seemed to know they’d reached some sort of powerful revelation as well.
“Ash, so help me God, if you are involved in something dangerous—” Roselyn began but didn’t finish.
Asher let out a breath and rubbed a hand over his face. “Believe me, were there time and if I thought it would help keep you safe, I would explain everything. As it is, the best I can do is to tell you that we must depart for Venice at once.”
Hattie blinked. Before she could think better of it, she blurted, “You’re the fox, aren’t you?”
Asher looked as though she had struck him. “Keep that information to yourself,” he hissed. “Please.” He turned back to Roselyn. “Please, Roz. Just do as I say. We have to get to Venice immediately.”
“All right,” Roselyn said, looking both puzzled and deeply concerned for her brother. “I’ll let the others know.”
“Thank you.” Asher leaned forward to kiss Roselyn’s cheek, then hurried ahead of them to Adrian, Trent, and Thomas.
“What in the hell is going on with this family?” Evangeline asked, equal parts worry and indignation in her voice. “First, we are blackmailed in Paris and threatened with ruin. Now Asher is a fox and antiques are being stolen from him? What’s next? A midnight gondola chase through the canals of Venice?”
“Let’s hope not,” Roselyn said with a laugh. It was the sort of laughter that came from being so worried that all you could do was laugh.
Ahead of them, whatever Asher had said to Adrian, Trent, and Thomas had turned their jovial conversation into frowns and looks of confusion.
“I can’t let it end like this,” Hattie said to herself, even though the words were spoken aloud.
“I should say not,” Evangeline agreed, her smile returning. “What a loss it would be to rush off to Venice and leave the charming Lord Whitemarsh behind.”
She was teasing, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t right. Hattie sucked in a breath, gathered her resolve, and marched forward intent on settling the matter once and for all.
Adrian saw her coming and broke away from Trent and Thomas. “I’ve just heard the news,” he said as they met on the path. “You’re leaving for Venice immediately.”
“Apparently, we are,” Hattie said, taking his hands.
As soon as she did, she regretted it. Adrian clasped her hands tightly, gazing into her eyes with all the longing of a man who wouldn’t take no for an answer to the question she knew full well he was about to ask.
“I’m not willing to make a hasty decision that I might regret later,” she blurted as he opened his mouth.
Adrian’s mouth hung open for a moment before he closed it and blew out through his nose. He didn’t look pleased. In fact, he looked as though he were thinking of ways to take her to task for dismissing him—ways that would leave her sighing and trembling with pleasure. Which, of course, did nothing for her resolve to hold her own.
“I refuse to believe it,” he said at last. “You cannot tell me that you feel nothing for me.” He leaned closer, whispering in her ear, “Not after the way you screamed my name as you came with my cock filling you.”
Hattie’s whole body heated, and for a moment, her will power felt like it would crumble. She fought the sensation by glancing up at him with a teasing grin. “Who says we must be married to be together? Didn’t you mention something about a mistress on the day we first met?”
His mouth twitched into a devilish grin for a moment before he grew serious once more. “I might have said something to that effect when our acquaintance was new, but now that I know you better—” he arched one eyebrow, giving his words a double meaning, “—I won’t settle for anything less than marriage.”
“And I refuse to make the mistake that too many women have made before me,” Hattie said. Her heart and her sex flared with fury at her brain’s callousness.
Adrian didn’t seem impressed with her stubbornness. Judging by her expression, he didn’t believe she was serious either. He straightened and took a step back, studying her as though she were a particularly complex mathematical problem. He even rubbed his chin and narrowed his eyes.
In the middle of whatever mental calculations he was engaged in, the children playing farther along the path let out a collective squeal. Hattie and Adrian both turned to see what the fuss was. It appeared as though a group of the boys had just finished a race with their hoops and sticks. The victor was being cheered on by most of the rest of the children while the two losers were protesting loudly. Hattie found the whole thing to be a sweet distraction, but evidently Adrian saw more in the whole thing.
“Let’s settle this once and for all,” he said, turning back to Hattie.
“And how do you propose to do that?” she asked, her heart thumping at the mischievous look in his eyes.
“Like children,” he answered.
She blinked. “You propose to settle a matter of marriage and pride like children?”
“Of course,” he said, his grin growing to truly wicked proportions. He took her hand and t
ugged her along the path to where the children were still celebrating. “The only way to settle such a thorny issue is with a good, honest competition.”
“What sort of competition?” Hattie laughed, her heart rejoicing. It appeared Adrian had found a way around the insistence of her brain and her pride.
“A race,” he said. “Winner takes all.”
Chapter 9
Adrian’s plan to win Hattie’s hand once and for all by challenging her to a race was high on the list of ridiculous things he’d done in his life, but desperate times called for desperate measures. Asher McGovern was up to something, and Adrian had the uncomfortable feeling that whatever it was, the entire McGovern clan would be in danger. That meant Hattie would be in danger. He wasn’t about to let her be whisked off to Venice and out of his reach when trouble was brewing.
“Is something the matter?” Hattie’s cousin, Lady Briarwood, asked with an amused look as Adrian marched Hattie past the cluster of women who had been watching them since he approached Hattie.
“I’m not certain,” Hattie laughed, holding her hat to her head with one hand as Adrian tugged her on to the group of children. “Lord Whitemarsh here has challenged me to a race.”
Lady Briarwood and Hattie’s other cousins immediately buzzed with enthusiasm, picking up their skirts and following. By the time they reached the children—who seemed not to know whether to be amused by the parade of English adults or nervous about them—the greater part of the McGovern clan had dropped what they were doing to watch what would happen next.
“As you might know,” Adrian said in a booming voice, turning to face them, “I have asked your cousin Hattie to marry me.”
As he expected, a flurry of surprised hums and laughter rang from the McGoverns.
“And I would be willing to bet, as I told you, she said no,” Trent McGovern called back, crossing his arms and smirking. Several of his cousins chuckled.
